Volcano Calendar 2019: We're proud to present our 2019 volcano calendar: 13 different and attractive images of volcanoes, volcanic landscapes and phenomena taken during volcano tours over the past few years.

The Volcano Adventure Guide: Excellent information and background for anyone wishing to visit active volcanoes safely and enjoyably. The book presents guidelines to visiting 42 different volcanoes around the world.

Tungurahua is one of South America's most active volcanoes. Since 2000, a new lava dome has been growing in its summit crater. Tungurahua's activity has been characterized by frequent powerful ash explosions, producing ash plumes of several kilometers height as well as dangerous pyroclastic flows. Part of the population around its base has been evacuated.

Activity is at moderate levels, characterized by relatively infrequent and small ash explosions. ...more

During early October, strombolian activity had increased and explosions have become more frequent (60-100 per day) and ash-rich, sometimes accompanied by loud shock waves. Between 20 and 23 October, activity started to decrease to 20-35 explosions per day with steam and ash columns 2-3 km high, drifting mainly to westerly directions and causing fine ash fall in Palitagua, Chogluntús, El Manzano, Penipe, and Riobamba .Deflation was recorded in late October, interpreted as the result of degassing and depressurization caused by the numerous explosions. IGPEN is not certain whether the decrease in activity during late Oct is a signal that the eruptive phase is ending or whether it will increase again in the near future. [less]

The eruptive phase that had started on 6 Oct, after a quiet interval of 3 months, continues to increase. The volcano observatory reports ash columns rising up to 3 km above the crater and the first occurrence (so far) small pyroclastic flows. ...more

In the early days of this phase, seismic activity was characterized by an increase in the number and energy of the events related to the mobilization of fluids into the volcano such as long-period events, tremor and explosions and emission signals of variable magnitude. Superficially, low intensity strombolian activity and ash emissions could be observed, resulting in ash fall in the areas of El Manzano, Bilbao, Chacauco , Choglontús , Mocha, Pillate and on the upper slopes of the volcano itself.Seismicity peaked last Friday (11 Oct) when explosions and emissions generated emission columns of 500-2000 meters above the crater, with a low content of ash, causing further ash fall in several areas around the volcano. [less]

Activity has been constant and slowly increasing. Strombolian explosions produce a column of gas and ash rising about 1 km, mostly driting west and north. Light ash fall has been reported from Penipe and Choglontus, and to the north, in Runtún. Near the volcano, constant rumbling is heard.

IGPEN reports no significant changes in the ongoing eruption, dominated by strombolian activity. Glowing blocks were seen rolling down for 1 km from the crater and there were sporadic cannon-shot explosions. A steam and ash plume rose to up to approx. 2 km height above the crater and caused ash fall in the areas of Mocha, Quero, Tisaleo and (a bit) in Mandur.

Continuous strombolian eruptions of fluctuating intensity are observed. This and the presence of a relatively large SO2 plume indicate that the volcano currently has an open conduit allowing fresh magma from deeper storage areas to rise quickly.

The seismic recordings show in increase in the number of events associated with internal fluid (magma) movements as well as emission/explosion signals.Ash fall has been reported in localities to the west and south, namely in El Manzano, Bilbao, Chacauco, Choglontus, and Mocha. [less]

A new eruption occurred in the evening of 7 Oct, following an increase in seismic activity. An explosion with a cannon-shot noise ejected blocks that rolled down the flanks and caused light ash fall in Choglontus. A steam and ash column rose to 1 km above the crater during the night.

Activity has been low. During an overflight on 20 Sep, IGPEN staff measured the diameter of the inner crater to be slightly larger (230 m) than compared to August, likely as a result of landslides from its walls. ...more

Temperatures at fumaroles inside the crater were relatively low and their activity weak. Low seismic activity and snow inside the crater also suggests that the volcano is currently "sleeping". [less]

The volcano observatory reports a change in activity, which could herald a new eruptive phase in the near future. Starting from yesterday at approximately 17:00 (local time), increased steaming and gas emissions were visible, producing a column reaching about 1 km height. Incandescence in the crater area could be detected at night as well. ...more

Previously, activity had been consisting of weak steaming producing a column of less than 200 m height.Seismically, there has been a slight increase in the number of events related to rock fracturing and fluid movements within the volcano, but seismic activity still remains at a level considered moderate to low. [less]

Since 2 August, surface activity has decreased significantly, but seismic and deformation monitoring suggest the arrival of a new batch of magma from depth in the near future. ...more

Visually, no more explosions have been observed since 31 July and no ash emissions since 3 August. Gas emissions have been declining as well.Similarly, the number of earthquakes reflecting fluid movements (LP events) has decreased to about 30-80 events / day. However, volcanic-tectonic earthquakes (VT) related to rock fracturing (caused by changing pressures or intrusion of magma) have increased in both number and magnitude. This suggests that a new volume of magma from deeper areas is accumulating and inducing pressure onto the volcanic edifice. In agreement with this is the continued observation of inflation of the upper flanks of the cone. [less]

The trend of increasing activity has continued over the past days. The volcano has been producing nearly constant steam and ash emissions to a maximum height of 2 km height, as well as discrete strombolian to vulcanian-type explosions accompanied by atmospheric shock waves and ground vibration. ...more

Ash fall has affected numerous inhabited and cultivated areas near the volcano. Heavy rains have been causing trouble, too, because a series of mud flows were generated, especially inside the ravines of the western flank.IGPEN's monitoring results of deformation and seismic measurements suggest that the volcano has currently an open conduit system, allowing magma to rise quickly to the crater. A magma body seems to be stored in a reservoir in the conduit at 1-3 km depths beneath the crater and fueling the activity at the surface. This magma is inflating, which suggests that it is being actively fed by new magma from deeper reservoirs (and at higher rate than what is currently erupted) and could probably lead to further and stronger eruptions in the near future. [less]

During the past days, a further increase in activity of the volcano occurred, characterized by the generation of large explosions and a constant ash eruption column, and several small to big explosions that generated strong vibrations and rattled windows in villages near the volcano. An eruption at 07:23 (local time) on 28 July generated a small pyroclastic flow that affected the upper north and north east flank of the volcano. ...more

Constant ash emissions produce a an ash column of up to 1.5 km height, drifting westwards. Ash fell in the town of Mocha.Seismic activity consists of long period (LP) earthquakes associated with internal fluid movements. [less]

An increase in activity has occurred since yesterday. For 24 July, IGPEN reports an eruption column of steam and ash reaching 5 km above the crater drifting into westerly directions. During the past night, a further rise in activity has likely occurred, as the increasing tremor signal suggests. ...more

Weak to moderate explosion sounds could be heard overnight and ash fall was reported from El Manzano, Choglontus, Puela, Cahuaji, and in the sectors of Cevallos, Quero and Mocha. [less]

Activity remains high. The volcano produces intermittent explosions and near continuous strombolian explosions and ash emissions that produce an eruption column reaching up to 1.5 km above the crater. Easterly winds drift the ash mainly to the west and SE, where light ash fall occurred in Cahuají and Choglontus.

Strombolian activity from Tungurahua in the night of 19 July (photo P. Ramón - OVT/IGEPN)

An increase of activity occurred yesterday. IGPEN recorded 3 strong pulses of volcanic tremor since midnight 20-21 July (local time), which were accompanied by strombolian activity and strong explosions that produced loud roars, heavy gunfire sounds, and vibrations that rattled floors, windows and doors of houses in areas nearby. Some were heard even in the Tungurahua Volcano Observatory (OVT), located 14 km north of the volcano. ...more

The largest explosion yesterday at 14h18 (local time) generated an eruption column of 5 km height moving east.Although so far there have been no new pyroclastic flows, this could likely happen in the near future. Ash fall occurred in the area of ​​Manzano, Choglontus, Tisaleo, Cevallos and Mapayacu. [less]

Activity both at the surface and internal remains at moderately high levels. Since the large vent-clearing vulcanian explosion on 14 July, the volcano has been producing strong strombolian activity and near-continuous ash emissions. ...more

This is accompanied by numerous long-period (LP) earthquakes and an elevated output of SO2 (3000 tonnes per day), as well as inflation at the northern flank in combination with weaker deflation of an area SW of the volcano (where the source of the magma might be located at about 2 km depth).On the night of 18 July, incandescence was seen at the crater and incandescent blocks were ejected and rolled down the flank for about 500 meters. [less]

After the strong vulcanian explosion on 14 July, the volcano calmed down first, but resumed activity on 16 July which has been characterized by ash venting and small to moderate explosions and is continuing. ...more

This activity was accompanied by the appearance of tremor and long-period earthquakes indicative of fluid movements. In addition, inflation is measured at the NW flank, suggesting that more magma is rising, and could lead to new powerful explosions similar to the one from last Sunday.IGPEN details that the eruption column from the 14 July eruption rose 8.3 km above the crater and pyroclastic flows traveled as far as 6-7 km into various valleys radiating from the volcano, mainly Juive Grande and Achupashal, which are among the areas most at risk.

Seismic signal from 14 July showing the build-up to the explosion (RETU station, IGPEN)

A large explosive eruption occurred Sunday (14 July) morning, producing a large ash plume that could be seen from Quito (135 km away) and pyroclastic flows. According to Washington VAAC, the ash reached altitudes of 45,000 ft (13 km). The eruption followed a fast build-up of seismic activity, and likely corresponds to a vulcanian-type explosion, where pressure builds up to eject a solid plug that has tapped the vent. Elevated seismic activity had been noted in phases at the volcano during the previous weeks and while not completely unexpected as a potential scenario, the strength of the explosion was a surprise. ...more

The threat and hazard of new pyroclastic flows prompted the government to evacuate people living nearest to the volcano.The sound of the explosion was confused with gunfire in towns as distant ~50 km from the volcano. Ash from the eruption fell in villages and towns around the volcano. [less]

IGPEN reports an increase of seismic activity over the past days which might herald a new phase of activity in the near future. ...more

The number of earthquakes associated with fluid movement within the volcano has risen from 10 daily earthquakes on June 20 to 54 earthquakes on 29 June. These so-called long period (LP) earthquakes often reflect an increase in pressure inside the volcano. So far, the earthquakes are small and not felt by people.In the afternoon of 29 June, mild fumarolic activity was observed in the crater area. Gas sensors installed near the volcano showed no increase in the concentration of SO2 gas, which suggests that the conduit is currently blocked by a plug, which supports the idea of increasing pressure inside the volcano. [less]

A gradual increase in eruptive activity is evident. Near continuous ash and steam emissions are interrupted by cannon-like explosions that produce ash plumes rising up to 2-3 km height and produce light ash falls in the areas around the volcano. At night, strombolian activity can be seen from the summit. ...more

A significant SO2 plume can be seen on satellite data drifting to the NW. [less]

Eruptive activity has not changed much. The volcano observatory reported ongoing steam and ash emissions producing a plume oscillating between 1.5-3 km height above the crater and drifting into westerly directions, and occasional small to moderate explosions. Light ash fall occurred in Cevallos and Mocha. Incandescence was visible at the summit.

Ash emissions and explosions of moderate size have continued and generated a plume averaging 1-2 km in height above the crater. During the night, incandescence is visible at the summit. Some of the stronger explosions are accompanied by cannon-shot noises.

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